"Heh! The Eternity Aeon likes milk tea?" Silver Wolf sneered mockingly.
Silver Wolf's offhand remark stumped Adrian outright.
"Cough cough cough…" The milk tea he'd just sipped nearly sprayed out. Adrian turned to Silver Wolf.
When did she find out? Kafka tell her?
"Hmm? How do you choke on milk tea?" Silver Wolf puzzled. "See… This is the downside of cold drinks."
Though she enjoyed ice baths daily, Silver Wolf preferred warmer milk tea—it warmed the heart.
Adrian brushed back his hair. "Sigh~ Whatever. Was gonna reveal it back in Belobog."
Normal folks wouldn't link to Aeon-tier heights; only those with abstract, lively minds would.
Underestimated Silver Wolf's neural paths—she deduced it from one milk tea.
Silver Wolf: ?
Promotion from intern to full-time?
They weren't on the same channel, but shrewd as Adrian, he caught on quick.
Recalling his pitch—likely she tied preservation tech to the church's per-capita long-life setup.
Not quite. Church residents truly followed HIS personal oracle; as for the milk tea…
A thousand Amber Eras ago, Adrian sought Abundance's Yaoshi—added HIS Eternity lock, plus had THEM extend the shelf life.
Thus… no spoilage, and no drawing Lan via Abundance-blessed milk tea.
...
Meanwhile, at the Divine Foresight.
"Everyone, I've gathered you to reiterate the Luofu Xianzhou's gratitude for the Nameless's righteous deeds."
"I believe Master Diviner already discussed this. But what you've done… the Luofu can scarcely repay. Thus, on behalf of the Cloud Knights, I present you these jade sigils—symbols of our alliance bond."
With that, Jing Yuan stepped aside, revealing two identically shaped jade sigils.
"Jade sigil… Qingque mentioned it? Souvenir?"
"This… yes, a kind of memento. But not some trinket you snag on a quick tour." Jing Yuan replied.
"Thousands of years ago, at the Alliance's founding, the Xianzhou swore a pact, engraving jade sigils as proof. Heaven and earth may perish—the oath endures."
He picked up a jade sigil from the table. "This one's the same: records the Cloud Knights' vow to the Express. And it's a beacon… Grip it tight, and it signals my matching pair."
"No matter the vast galaxy or distant trails, the Cloud Knights will hasten to rendezvous with the Express—and fulfill your charge."
March 7th eyed the Express pass pinned to her skirt. "Wow, this gift's no small potatoes."
"Er… Naturally, something so vital—don't misuse it for trifles or pact-breakers. You get that, right?"
Jing Yuan reminded—lest the sigil ping tomorrow.
"Haha~ Got it, totally." March 7th and Stelle nodded awkwardly. So it was aimed at them.
Use only in dire need.
"Thanks for the generosity, General."
With the jade sigils settled, Jing Yuan turned to the silent Dan Heng.
"Dan Heng… By Ten-Lords Commission decree, I pardon your exile. From this moment, you're free to come and go upon the Luofu."
At those words, March 7th and Stelle got most hyped.
"Yay! Dan Heng won't need Pontiff Blake's face anymore!"
"Not unexpected." Stelle hands on hip—all as she'd foreseen.
"Wow~ No echo machine this time? Stelle, you really… I'm gonna cry." March 7th felt a twinge of emotion. She'd finally grown!
"March… Let the general finish first." Welt reminded.
"Dan Feng's sins run deep, and some minds, like the tides of Scalegorge Waterscape, won't shift easily with a mere decree."
"I can only guarantee your freedom of movement, not your safety. Please understand." Jing Yuan had done his utmost.
"I do."
After entrusting precautions, Jing Yuan's expression eased with a touch of leisure. "Gifts delivered, mood lightened… Thought to recite a couplet for the moment, but unlike the Master Diviner's erudition, I'll pass."
"Through this event, the Xianzhou Alliance… the Luofu owes the church and the Astral Express too much. The Nameless's path stretches long—may your trails be smooth and unhindered."
"Hmm… Considering your time on the Luofu, no farewells yet. For now… please enjoy the rest."
...
Yichen Inn. Welt led the three back to the guest rooms.
He checked his phone, then turned to the group: "Got a message from Himeko. The Express detected the Jade Abacus gate reopening. She asks when we're returning—and specifically about Dan Heng and Adrian."
"Only the man himself can answer that best, right?" Stelle guessed.
"Ah… Pull Adrian back to the Express now?"
"Didn't explain clearly to Himeko then—my duty."
Welt adjusted his glasses, so the task fell to him.
"I think it's time to head back anyway, assure Miss Himeko we're safe."
"Himeko-sis must be dying to hear our trip stories!" As the Astral Express's storytelling queen, March 7th naturally wanted to share with Himeko.
"Uh, wait—how'd I forget? Gotta bring the Conductor a gift."
"No worries… Why not ask the magical Adrian?" Stelle had absorbed the church essence these days: troubles? Straight to the Aeon.
Beep beep!
Everyone's phones pinged with a message.
"It's Himeko! Check what she sent."
[Group Chat— Astral Express Family]
[Himeko: @everyone]
[Himeko: Usually it's little March with good news and bad. Time to switch.]
[Himeko: Good news and bad—which first?]
[March 7th: [Pom-Pom Impact.jpg]]
[March 7th: Good news, obviously!]
[Himeko: Once the Conductor's prepped, we can head to the next stop… But Bronya messaged me recently, inviting us to the Harmonious Feast celebration.]
[Himeko: We've ages till the [Family] invite deadline. If interested, we could revisit Jarilo-VI.]
[Stelle: [Eyes Sparkling.jpg]]
[Stelle: And the bad?]
[Himeko: Pom-Pom's depressed.]
Those five stark words stirred a storm in the [Astral Express Family] group.
[Stelle: ?]
[Dan Heng: ?]
[March 7th: ?]
[Welt: ?]
[Adrian: ??!]